Intermountain Packing, an Idaho slaughterhouse, is facing legal action after allegedly violating federal law by laying off its workforce without providing adequate notice. The lawsuit was filed by a former employee on behalf of 150 terminated workers. The company reportedly shut down its operations in March.
What happened
Intermountain Packing abruptly terminated 150 employees on March 24, allegedly without providing the 60 days' advance notice required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining and Notification (WARN) Act. A former employee, Shayne Grover, filed a lawsuit seeking class action status on behalf of the affected workers.
How many employees affected
The lawsuit states that 150 employees were terminated as part of the closure.
Why layoffs happened
According to a WARN notice submitted to the Idaho Department of Labor, Intermountain Packing cited an "unforeseeable financial crisis" leading to an "immediate inability to meet payroll obligations" as the reason for the closure. The company claimed these circumstances were not reasonably predictable, preventing them from providing the standard 60-day notice.
Company background
Intermountain Packing, based in Idaho Falls, began operating in 2022. The facility was built for $20 million with the backing of ranchers and investors. Prior to the closure, the company faced a lawsuit from dairy farms seeking $2 million for unpaid cull cows. The USDA also determined the company failed to pay nearly $3.9 million for livestock.
Industry impact
The closure of Intermountain Packing highlights the financial challenges faced by some livestock processing facilities. The sudden shutdown left 150 workers unemployed and has triggered legal action related to compliance with federal labor laws.
What's next
The lawsuit seeks back pay and compensation for affected workers, as well as civil penalties. The court will determine whether the company violated the WARN Act and whether class action status is appropriate. The company is reportedly not accepting phone calls, and its attorney was unavailable for comment.
Source: capitalpress.com